On a fine sunny morning (for a change) our under 8 & under 9 cubs headed to Kiltulla for an early morning mini tournament with the hosts. The boys put on a great exhibition, playing some great football and got some great scores during a 9 game series.
Team 1 managed by Robbie Parker were a bit slow to get going in top gear losing their first game 3-0; their best efforts coming from Shane Quirke who thumped the crossbar with a rasper and another effort well saved by an impressive young Kiltulla keeper. Game 2 saw Robbie’s lads go 2 up before the break with Shane Quirke again on the mark twice but Kiltulla clawed their way back into the game in the 2nd half before Ryan Concannon scored the winner just before the final whistle. The 3rd game was full of immense intensity for these intrepid lads. Shane Quirke again put them 2-0 up through 2 splendid long range efforts but Kiltulla made a game of it as they fought back and went 3-2 up with minutes left on the clock. Our lads stayed battling though and scored the equaliser with seconds on the clock as the ref was helping the injured Stephen Murphy to his feet. Kiltulla were sure they had won as the final whistle sounded but the Colemanstown youngsters with arms pumping and adrenal in abundance weren’t long letting them know. It’s great to see such pride in the green jersey at such a young age and try tell these lads that soccer is non- competitive at this age!!
Our 2nd team managed by Gary Lally also saw a mixed bag of results but also great passages of play from both sides with a showcase of passing, tackling, dribbling, defending and striking at its best. They won their first game 3-0 thanks to goals from Joshua McDonnell, Cian Cleary and Martin Mellody and some great goal celebrations too! They drew their 2nd 2-2 with goals from Tommy Nutley & Kyle Concannon who covered every blade of grass on the pitch. Game 3 saw them lose 3-1 as the tiredness was taking its toll as Cian Cleary scored our goal.
Our 3rd team managed by Ronan Carr were completely unfazed as they battled hard pulling off another mixed bag of results. They won their first game 4-2 with Conor Walsh particularly to the fore scoring a brace with Noah McDonnell from play & Daniel Moran scored the 4th after he capitalised on a rebounded effort after a Conor Walsh free kick. They lost their 2nd game 4-1; found themselves 2-0 down at half time and 3-0 down early in the 2nd half but Noah McDonnell gave them a lifeline when he scored to make it 3-1. Kiltulla scored a late goal to make it 4-1 with a rebounded effort after an initial great save from Josh Buckley in goal. They drew their last game 2-2 when Conor Walsh provided the assist for Darren Moran to open the scoring but Kiltulla drew level before half time. Josh Buckley came out of goals to score what looked like a 2nd half winner before Kiltulla equalised matters just before full time. So plenty of football for everyone, great skill on display and pride galore for all these boys! Well done everyone.
A great big thanks also to mentors Robbie Parker, Gareth Lally and Ronan Carr & to the Kiltulla contingent who ran a lovely morning of soccer in the sun.
Meanwhile our reserves suffered their 3rd loss of the season yesterday. Battling on with the lack of fresh legs they lost further ground at the summit. Things looked to be going to plan for awhile but in the end a strong Moyne Villa side deserved all 3 points. It finished 3-1 with Gerry Grady scoring for Colemanstown goal clocking his unbelievable 13th goal of the sesaon.